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A detailed image of the International Space Station (ISS) orbiting above Earth. The ISS features large solar panel arrays and multiple interconnected modules. Below, the curved horizon of Earth is visible, showing a blue atmosphere, white clouds, and portions of land and ocean. The blackness of space forms the background.The International Space Station©️ Private

Space photonics: Disruptive satellite laser communications and astrophotonics

Events

During this year’s Optical Fiber Communications Conference, we organized a panel on space photonics and astrophotonics, held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Panel description

Photonics is expected to play a key role in space applications as optics and fiber-optics penetrates into satellite payloads and photonic components and subsystems become integral functional parts of telecommunication, on-board signal distribution and/or remote sensing instrumentation.

The FCC has received more than 15 applications for constellations with several confirmed inter-satellite link designs relying on laser communications. On the other hand, space instrument science increasingly uses optics and photonics (e.g. fiber-based instruments) for Earth observation and astronomical exploration with operational requirements in extreme environments.

The panel discussed the technology development requirements, qualification deltas, cost targets and ground-based infrastructure required for volume manufacturing and/or integration of space photonic hardware. The panelsts also analyzed the challenges in designing and developing new generation of photonic instruments.

Stratos Kehayas, PhD, G&H President of Photonics headshot on grey backgroundStratos Kehayas, PhD, G&H President of Photonics©️ G&H

Organizers

  • Stratos Kehayas, G&H
  • Sergio Leon-Saval, University of Sydney, Australia

Speakers